The Gospel Of Jesus: Go Fish [fishing / Fishers Of Men] Series

The Gospel of Jesus – Go Fish

Matthew 4:12-25

Jesus must have liked fish and fishing, for He spoke of it often…he ate fish several times in the Bible, He called these fishermen to be His disciples, and when it came time to feed a bunch of people, like a true child of God He chose very wisely…fish! I love fish, and will catch just as many…as you’ll throw to me!

Let’s start a fishing ministry! Are you with me?

Jeremiah 16:16

Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Jesus understands us, and gives us illustrations we like and can help us to understand.

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The Bible teaches us things about being a "Fisher of Men"...

1. Today’s text... Commanding us to be "Fishers of men"

2. Luke 5:1-11

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, [2] And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. [3] And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. [4] Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. [5] And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. [6] And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. [7] And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. [8] When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. [9] For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: [10] And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. [11] And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Jesus enters the ship, then asks them to thrust out a little, and then does some teaching, and then commands that they launch out into the deep. This is a picture of ‘going to the next level.’ God is asking us to take steps toward Him.

James 4:8

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

“At Thy Word…” Peter had his doubts, and expressed them, but then took Jesus at His Word…and he didn’t regret it!

“thou shalt catch men…”

Good fishermen:

To be a good fisherman you must come to think like the fish.

3. Matthew 13:47-48

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: [48] Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

You have to fish for everyone…you have to invite 10 to get 1 to come, but all are invited! “You catch…He’ll clean!”

A good fisherman must go where the fish are…

4. John 21:1-14

After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias... [3] Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. [4] But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. [5] Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. [6] And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. [8] And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. [14] This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.